New figures show scale of mental health absences in north-east emergency services

Mr Kerr said the emergency services “must be given the proper support”

Hundreds of emergency service workers have taken mental health-related absences over the last four years.

According to official statistics obtained by the Evening Express, 262 police and paramedics have been forced to take a break.

Between 2016/17 and 2019/20, 94 police officers from Police Scotland’s A division, which covers Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, were recorded as having a mental health absence. Also, 18 police staff had to take time out.

Scottish Ambulance statistics show that 168 paramedics took a mental health-related break from their jobs over the same time period.

There was no regional breakdown of the issue at the fire service, although national figures show there were 140 incidents in the three years to 2018/19.